The most important thing is to control on thoughts. Our thoughts can lay the soul to the hell or to heaven or to animal incarnation. Here is the best example related with Lord Parshva. Lord Parshva was the 23rd Tirthankar and lived some 3000 years ago. Today he is worshipped as much as Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar.
The soul that was to be Lord Parshvanath was inspired to take the direction of purity in its birth as Marubhuti. He was born to the wife of Purohit Vishabhuti living in Potanpur city. His elder brother was Kamath. As Kamath was cruel, conceited, and a debauch, in spite of being the elder son it was Marubhuti who succeeded his father on the post of Rajpurohit (the director of ritual ceremonies of the king and state). Attracted toward the beautiful wife of Marubhuti, Vasundhara, Kamath seduced her. When Kamath’s wife came to know about the affair, she tried to dissuade him in vain and told Marubhuti about it. Marubhuti made a secret inquiry and conveyed everything in detail to the king. Kamath was exiled by the king. He became a mendicant and started doing rigorous penance.
After sometime Marubhuti felt that it was because of his report that Kamath was insulted and thrown out of the state; as such he should go and beg forgiveness from his elder brother. Marubhuti went into the jungle near Kamath and bowed before him seeking his pardon. Instead of getting pacified, Kamath was over powered by the desire of vengeance. He picked up a large stone and hit Marubhuti on the head. Marubhuti died on the spot but at the time when he died he fell on miss contemplation as his head was bleeding by the heavy stone. He mentally said, “Oh! What a strong pain? How can I tolerate this pain?” Because of this miss contemplation when he died, his soul reincarnated as an elephant in the Vindhyachal forest!
This small story states that due to miss contemplation even the pious soul of Marubhuti reincarnated as an animal (however in his later life he purified his soul to a great extent and became a Tirthankar). Now think what would happen to a person who always remains absorbed in miss contemplation and involves in sinful activities? The Jain Tirthankars as well as Lord Buddha have used meditation to control their senses because control of mind and senses is the most important part in spiritual progress.
The soul that was to be Lord Parshvanath was inspired to take the direction of purity in its birth as Marubhuti. He was born to the wife of Purohit Vishabhuti living in Potanpur city. His elder brother was Kamath. As Kamath was cruel, conceited, and a debauch, in spite of being the elder son it was Marubhuti who succeeded his father on the post of Rajpurohit (the director of ritual ceremonies of the king and state). Attracted toward the beautiful wife of Marubhuti, Vasundhara, Kamath seduced her. When Kamath’s wife came to know about the affair, she tried to dissuade him in vain and told Marubhuti about it. Marubhuti made a secret inquiry and conveyed everything in detail to the king. Kamath was exiled by the king. He became a mendicant and started doing rigorous penance.
After sometime Marubhuti felt that it was because of his report that Kamath was insulted and thrown out of the state; as such he should go and beg forgiveness from his elder brother. Marubhuti went into the jungle near Kamath and bowed before him seeking his pardon. Instead of getting pacified, Kamath was over powered by the desire of vengeance. He picked up a large stone and hit Marubhuti on the head. Marubhuti died on the spot but at the time when he died he fell on miss contemplation as his head was bleeding by the heavy stone. He mentally said, “Oh! What a strong pain? How can I tolerate this pain?” Because of this miss contemplation when he died, his soul reincarnated as an elephant in the Vindhyachal forest!
This small story states that due to miss contemplation even the pious soul of Marubhuti reincarnated as an animal (however in his later life he purified his soul to a great extent and became a Tirthankar). Now think what would happen to a person who always remains absorbed in miss contemplation and involves in sinful activities? The Jain Tirthankars as well as Lord Buddha have used meditation to control their senses because control of mind and senses is the most important part in spiritual progress.
Now here is mentioned another example of Monk Prasanna Chandra who became a monk from The King during Lord Mahavir’s time.
One day King Prasanna was observing clouds and soon all the clouds vanished from the sky. Thus the King realized the nature of life and thought that the life is like clouds that can end anytime. The cycle of birth and death never ends. Thus he decided to renounce the worldly pleasures and decided to become a monk. He transferred his Royal Authority to his son who was still a teenager.
Once, Prasannachandra, now a monk, came to Rajgriha with Lord Mahavir. Standing on one leg, with arms raised, he was engrossed in meditation outside the Samavasaran. A large number of people, including King Shrenik, passed by without disturbing the deep meditation of the monk to see Mahavir.
Seeing the calm, quiet face of Prasannachandra, resplendent in meditational pose, Durmukh, a minister of King Shrenik, was possessed by a fit of mad jealousy and malicious intent to disturb the monk's tranquility. He taunted, "Having left your son, a minor, at the helm of affairs of your kingdom, you have become a carefree monk. Do you know how fearful your young son is in such a situation? Enemies have surrounded him on all sides! The kingdom and his life both are at stake! If you have any worth, show it. It is your duty to save your child from these perils, after which you should think of spiritual attainments."
Outwardly, Prasannachandra was unperturbed, but inwardly, his mind was growing restless. He visualized the frightened face of his young, helpless child and he was mentally there at Pottanpur to protect his son. Mentally, he ordered the army to be prepared for battle, saw his army carry out the order, and even come with arms onto the battlefield, wounded or imprisoned all who threatened to harm the well-being of his son.
This agonizing state of mind full of violence and fear were contradictory to the peaceful outward nature that he was manifesting. New thoughts were perpetually fueling the fire of wrath and vengeance burning within his mind. Upon hearing the appreciative words of a humble layman thanking him for his exemplary lifestyle-- "Leaving all worldly luxuries and practising Sadhana is noble indeed".
The monk began to really think: --Whose son? Whose empire? Of what am I thinking? Why do these earthly cares plague me so? What good can come of wishing harm for others? Such attachment is not wise. I must repudiate such inane feelings as victory and defeat. Such are the thoughts of irrational men. I wish to be beyond such trifles.
His thoughts now directed to their proper sphere, Prasannachandra had pure thoughts and new vision. The mental enemies disappeared; the delusion was over. The veils so long obscuring knowledge and perception were flung aside, thus clearing his path of all obstructions. Prasannachandra had attained omniscience.
When Prasannachandra was doing battle mentally before attaining omniscience, King Shrenik asked Lord Mahavir that if the monk Prasannachandra dies right now then when would his soul go? Mahavir replied,” Oh King! If Prasannachandra would die now then he will be reborn in the seventh hell!” The King was surprised by this answer. He again asked the same question and Mahavir replied that if the monk dies now then he will reborn in the 12th heavenly region! Now King Shrenik was much surprised by these answers and soon he heard sounds of joy. He asked Lord Mahavir about these strange sounds and Mahavir replied that,”Oh King! The monk Prasannachandra has attained Omniscience! Then Mahavir explained to the king that,” when you asked me first time that when would he go if he dies now? Then I replied that he will reborn in the Seventh Hell because at that time he was mentally fighting and killing the army. Then he controlled his mind and was doing confession because his miss contemplation caused by your minister Durmukh and on that time you asked me second time and I replied that he will reborn in the 12th Heaven. Then the monk continued to purify his thoughts and eventually he attained omniscience and you heard the voices of celebrations!
Then Mahavir explained to the King the value of thoughts. Thoughts can lead us to the hell and thoughts can lead us to the heaven, thoughts can lead the soul to liberation!
-Rahul Zota (Bhuj-Gujarat)
great stories.. Thanks..
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